This story is different than most that we generally experience in the NICU, however, outcomes are not always what we hope for. Jenny has been a nurse with this organization for more than two decades; caring for babies, their mothers, and family members with every ounce of her heart, every single day that she is behind these doors. Jenny typically works alongside me for high-risk deliveries, micro-preemies, and level two infants. Most make their way home after a short stay and others stay long term in our NICU. The keywords, however, are "make their way" home.
Two weeks ago, I observed Jenny caring for a mother and father who had just been given the worst news any family could hear. There was nothing else we could do and the suggestion, based on the circumstances, was comfort care until the end of life. Jenny loved that family like no other nurse that I had ever seen. Jenny felt their pain and heartache and did everything in her power to make those seconds, minutes, and hours, the best that they could be in those circumstances. She cared for that precious boy after his last breath like he was her own.
Jenny gave him a warm bath, brushed his hair, picked out the perfect sailboat gown for him to wear, and made footprints and handprints for the parent's memory box. Jenny assisted with pictures and then wrapped him perfectly while keeping parents informed about further plans.
Jenny is an outstanding nurse every day that she walks through these doors, but on this day, in particular, she was outstanding. I know that Jenny's love and kindness will continue to have an impact on the parents of this little one. When they are eventually able to look back on the days leading up to this one, I'm sure they will be thankful for Jenny's kind heart. They will remember her Respectful Compassion and know that their sweet boy touched our lives as well as their own. They will remember her passion for preterm life and kind compassion for the end of life of their precious baby boy. Jenny is such an asset to our NICU and is loved by all who meet her. She shows respect and dignity in everything that she does and is a wonderful leader in our NICU.